Study of the leucocytic formula of milk in the ewes of race ouled-djellal in the east of Algeria

Abstract

The study was carried out in a private ovine exploitation of Ben M’ Hidi (wilaya of El-Tarf), located at northeast of 
Algeria during the period going from June 2000 to May 2002. It related to 13 nursing ewes of race Ouled Djellal 
including six first calf cows and seven multipares. The diagnosis of the subclinic mammites was made according to 
California Mastitis Test (CMT) without bacteriological study. The counting of the somatic cells was carried out using 
an optical microscope on cell of Malassez and the various types of distinguished cells (polynuclear, macrophages, 
and lymphocytes). The results of the CMT made it possible to distinguish three ewes reached from subclinic 
mammites on a total of 13 examined ewes. The given leucocytic formula at the beginning of lactation in the healthy 
ewes showed a prevalence of the lymphocytes (44 to 47%); the rate the polymorphonuclear ones and macrophages 
varies from 21 to 25%. In the batch of the ewes reached, that is, subclinic mammites, the rate of lymphocytes range 
between 23 and 29%, the rate the polynuclear ones are 28 to 34 %; the macrophages represent the highest rate (40 
to 47%).